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Saturday, November 26, 2016

What's expected of us by family and society, may not exactly be what we want for ourselves. Our next heroine, Brigit, shows us there is uncertainty in forging your own path--but also great discovery. Fantasy author Kylie Quillinan talks about strong-minded girls and the main character from her novel, MUSE.

Author Interview: Kylie Quillinan

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Brigit is supposed to follow in
her mother’s footsteps and become a wise woman (a healer). But she wants a life
of danger and adventure rather than charms and cures. When she refuses a demand
from one of the fey, she is transformed into a dog in punishment and suddenly
finds herself in the middle of an adventure that is nothing like she imagined.
Lost, injured, and alone, she eventually encounters a bard on a quest. Brigit
and the bard team up to complete his quest together. Brigit is strong-minded,
although this is often misinterpreted as being stubborn.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

I’ve often been accused of
stubbornness, so I guess there’s a little (a lot?) of me in Brigit. When Brigit
is turned into a dog (Bramble), people act differently around her than they
would if they knew she was really a woman. The bard, Diarmuid, gets very
nervous around women and ends up making a fool of himself. When he speaks to
Bramble, though, he doesn’t relate to her as a woman, so he lets his guard down
and shows her who he really is.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

For me, yes, although I know a lot
of writers would disagree. Muse also has a male main character and this is the
first time I’ve written from the point of view of a male. From the very first
time I started thinking about this book, I knew it had to have both a male and
a female main character. However, I find it easier to get into the mind and
voice of a female character, especially if they happen to be stubborn and a bit
prickly like Brigit.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

Someone who is confident in her
own knowledge and opinions. Someone with the ability to act when it’s necessary
but who is also able to acknowledge when she is wrong. Someone who goes out and
chases her dream, regardless of what other people say, whether it’s that she
shouldn’t or she can’t.

I enjoy exploring time periods when women didn’t have a
lot of agency of their own. When society’s expectation is that a woman will
marry (usually to a man chosen by her father) and have babies, it takes a
strong woman to make something else of her life. I like writing about women who
aren’t interested in meeting society’s expectation of what they should be like.

Readers can sign up to my mailing
list through my website at www.kyliequillinan.com.
I send a newsletter once a month, which usually includes a brief update of my
current work-in-progress and sometimes a cute photo of one of my dogs.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Our next heroine is young but capable. Seattle Times bestselling author Raven Oak discusses Adelei from her novel Amaskan's Blood...and why Xena and Buffy are #HeroGoals.

Author Interview: Raven Oak

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Amaskan’s Blood (Book I of
the Boahim Trilogy) is a coming-of-age story featuring Adelei, one of the
feared Amaskans. At nineteen, she’s considered one of the best the Amaskans have ever trained and is
tasked with protecting all those in the Little Dozen Kingdoms. The Order of
Amaska sends her deep into the Kingdom of Alexander and into the hands of the
Order’s oldest enemy—her father.

Like
most nineteen-year-olds, Adelei thinks she’s got it all figured out. While fighting
to unravel the betrayal surrounding the royal family of Alexander, she finds
her entire past is a lie, right down to those she called family. They say the
truth depends on which side of the sword one stands. But they never said what
to do when all the swords are pointing at you.

The best review I’ve heard
for Amaskan’s Blood was another author who said, “If George R. R. Martin had
written [Disney’s] Tangled, it would be like this.” Lots of political intrigue,
world building, and the depth of character one would expect to find in epic fantasy.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

Adelei finds herself with a family she never asked for and
didn’t even think she wanted. It isn’t until push comes to shove that she
learns the meaning of the term family. Oddly enough, about the time I was
writing Book I, I found myself in a similar situation as I discovered and
reconnected with estranged family. I didn’t realize how much of my own feelings
and conflicts had gone into writing Adelei until much later. Like me, she
transitioned from someone who thought they knew what they wanted and needed
into someone who was able to forgive.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

Not necessarily. I’ve written multiple stories and novels from
both points of view without issue. In fact, Seattle Geekly commented in their
interview with me that I’d done an amazing job of writing strong women without
emasculating my male characters. When writing, I remember that people are
people, flaws and strengths and all.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

Strong heroines have both strengths and weaknesses. They can
be strong while still having the vulnerabilities that people have. Strength
doesn’t have to be physical either—there are all manners of strength.

My website has a ton of
information (probably too much information) such as book details, upcoming
events I’ll be attending, what books I’m currently reading, what video games
I’m playing or movies I’m watching, biweekly reviews of games, looks back at
old book covers, writing tips, links to purchase books, and lots of cat
pictures. It also has links to all my social media, though I’m most active on
Twitter.

Monday, November 21, 2016

So Commander Katherine Kirk wasn't originally the lead of H.M. Clarke's novel, but the character had such a strong presence and influence over the story, the author could no longer deny who the true star was.What to do when the sidekick becomes the Boss Lady? Let's find out!

Author Interview: H.M. Clarke

Tell us about your book in the Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the
heroine, and what is she like?

Commander Katherine Kirk is one of
those awesome kick-ass heroines who takes crap from no one. She is a Commander in the Republic of
Australia Navy and is devoted to her duty. She has not had an easy time, and
she’s not looking for one.Vengeance
drives her, but she also shows a vulnerability at times that proves the
humanity behind the uniform. What she wants is to make the universe a safer
place and that the atrocities in her past will never happen to others in the
future.

What went into creating her, and how does she interact with the other
characters around her?

Katherine was created by accident.Tom, her best friend, was originally supposed
to be the ‘Star’ of The Enclave. And The
Enclave was not supposed to head in the direction it did.The book is a fast paced military sci-fi, which
begins at a fast pace, and builds up to a crescendo.When I started writing it, Katherine just
took over and over countless drafts, the story developed with her as the main
character.

In public she acts the military commander
that she is, but in private she is relaxed around her friends.She takes control when needed, but is not
afraid to ask advise from those she trusts.And she is very loyal to her friends – the stereotypical Aussie Mateship
trope.

Do you believe it’s easier to write a female main character rather than
a male one? Why?

I think they are both the same to write.Men and Women do think and move differently
and come at problems and situations from different angles and thought.But if a writer has enough life experience
behind them, then this should not be a problem.The only issue with writing any character is to make the reader believe
that the character is a real person - someone that could actually exist in
their world - and you can only get that by making a character relatable to them
in some way, either through their own experience of others or in their
situation.

What would you define as a “strong heroine”?

A strong person, no matter who they are, is someone
who stands up for what they believe in and value.And is a person who takes responsibility for
their actions and the results that may happen from them.They also will acknowledge their faults and
failings and will continuously work towards self-improvement.They are also someone who sticks up for their
mates.

Name some of your personal female heroes (real or fictional).

One of the women that I look up to is Dame
Roma Mitchell – the first woman in Australia to be appointed a Judge (she was a
Queen’s Counsel beforehand), the first woman to be appointed a State Governor
(of South Australia), was Chancellor of the University of Adelaide and was on
the council for the Order of Australia.

Friday, November 18, 2016

Do you know who wrote one of the coolest heroines ever? Edmund Spenser. Britomart, the sole female knight among King Arthur's bunch (The Faerie Queene), made such an impression on me that I remember her until this day. I wouldn't be surprised if George R.R. Martin's Brienne of Tarth (the female knight in Game of Thrones) was also inspired by Britomart.Bestselling and award-winning fantasy author Devorah Fox shares with us a medieval fantasy with women who can hold their own alongside King Bewilliam. I'm so excited that this story is among nine other amazing tales in the Daughters of Destiny boxed set.

Author Interview: Devorah Fox

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

In “The Redoubt,” Book Four of The Bewildering Adventures of
King Bewilliam, the formerly lost king has reclaimed his throne and restored
his kingdom, but he left his heart behind in Seagate Fortress, the domain of the
widowed Empress Alexandra. A powerful ruler, though bereft of her beloved
husband, Empress Alexandra not only held onto her empire but expanded it.
Possessed of a sharp mind and daring spirit, she succeeds at whatever she puts
her mind to, be it slaying the dragons that threaten her precious forests,
foraging for herbs to heal a wounded animal, crafting a magnificent island
fortress from crushed shells, or rekindling a lost king’s self-esteem.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

Admittedly, Empress Alexandra is drawn from my experience as
a widow left with a business to run and a house to maintain. Empress Alexandra
draws strength from her trusted advisers who are not only loyal supporters but
close friends, as did I.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

I find it harder to write a female main character, although
I did in my thriller, “Naked Came the Sharks.” I find women with brains and
gumption to be interesting but our culture doesn’t offer many opportunities for
such women to express their strength. The Fantasy genre is more accommodating,
thus I was able to introduce King Bewilliam not only to the formidable Empress
Alexandra but also Deidre, a feisty young woman. Savvy ruler that he is, he
recognized Deidre’s valor and made her a knight, despite the obstacles
presented by her gender.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

A woman becomes a heroine the same way that a man becomes a
hero. Not so much because of super strength or superior fighting skills but by
overcoming fear and self-doubt and applying newly discovered strengths to a
worthy cause.

Name some of your personal female
heroes (real or fictional).

My first heroine was Rebecca of Sir Walter Scott’s
“Ivanhoe.” Hampered by her gender, her membership in a distrusted and vilified
minority, she nevertheless proved herself to be brave and of high moral stands
when it would have been easier simply to submit. I would say the same for
suffragettes like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and early
leaders of the feminist movement: Gloria Steinem and Betty Freidan. They all
made personal sacrifices to advance a concept that they felt would benefit all
humankind.

Daughter of Destiny
Profiles

Empress Alexandra:
Having lost her beloved husband and the sovereign of their domain, she soldiers
on to sustain and expand the empire that they built, slaying menacing dragons
and rebuffing avaricious suitors who covet her assets. “You might say I slay
dragons every day.”

Dame Deidre: A
self-taught warrior, Deidre vows to avenge her uncle’s wrongful death and
squares off against an older, experienced, and accomplished but duplicitous
knight. Her loyalty and commitment to justice earns her knighthood. “I am eager
to be of service in whatever way my lord sees fit. That is, if I can have my
sword back.”

Lady Alice: The wife of a humble woodworker and mother of
two daughters, Alice excels at the uncelebrated art of being a mother, to
everyone who needs mothering. She distinguishes herself not with fighting
ability but her skill in healing animals. She employs that skill to cure King
Bewilliam’s beloved cat, Meeyoo, earning Alice her ladyship title.

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Our next heroine is so badass that she doesn't let a minor nuisance like death get in her way. Meet Adela Darken, and her maker, the insanely talented author H.M. Jones.

Author Interview H.M. Jones

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Adela Darken is a Potent working on her
Post-Potent exams in order to become a Wizend. Wizends are respected
alchemists/botanists/wizards of a sort. She is making a potion for her
Post-Potent project that will save New Drearia’s crops from dying.
Unfortunately, making the potion goes south and she accidentally kills herself.
Never one to do things the way other girls do them, she rises from the grave a
couple days later determined to finish her Post-Potent potion and help the
citizens of New Drearia. Adela is caring, intelligent, measured and daring.
She’s not interested in wearing any clothing that will get singed by her burner
or being distracted by any person who will interfere with her work.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

I got the idea for Adela when looking at a
beautiful piece of art on Charlie Hoover shared with our Google+ geek
community, Geekscapes. There was a picture of a girl running through a
dripping, old world alley in a blue beat-up cloak. She is so pale she looks
undead, but she’s clearly not a “zombie.” She has purpose, drive, a place to
be, urgently. To me, she was Adela and she had a mission. That mission just
started to flow from knowing who she was, the fact that she is a caring,
concerned daughter and citizen. It came fairly effortlessly, her story, her
character. She is, of course, shy to interact with other people since they
attended her funeral and think her dead, but those she chooses to interact with
find her respectful, unless they do not respect her. She has no patience for
ignorance or mean-spirited people.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

I actually don’t. I have written male
characters who flow with just as much ease as Adela does. My characters tend to
have strong personalities, so it’s never too difficult to figure out what they
want or where they are going. I’m also someone who studies people of all kinds.
I like to listen to others. Once I have a backstory, the gender plays very
little part. The men and women of my books are who they are.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

Someone who achieves her goals despite
obstacles, social, physical and emotional. A strong heroine does not have to be
physically imposing (though poor Adela becomes inhumanly strong, alas), but has
a strength of character, of mind or of body that helps her achieve her goals.

Name some of your personal female
heroes (real or fictional).

Elizabeth Bennet is my all-time favorite
heroine. Her wit, her humor and her character is so compelling, so strong. She
does not allow exterior factors to motivate or change who she is. I love her
steadfast love of her sister, her family (even when they disappoint her).
Hermione Granger is my second all-time favorite character. She is so fiercely
loyal, intelligent, brave, quick-thinking and STRONG.

That point in the book where she erases her
parents memory, so that they can’t remember that they ever had a daughter to
save them the grief of losing her? I’m shivering as a think of it. Crying,
even. She’s an amazing person. She feels so real to me. Katniss Everdeen.
People say “I’m so sick of the chosen one,” but she never felt that way to me.
She is strong, fast and clever. She is unemotional in her attachments, logical.
The fact that people cling to her is an annoyance to her.

She despises the play acting she must do to
help her family. She is self-sacrificing and well drawn. Drama has no appeal to
her; she only wants simplicity. She knows she is strong, is not surprised that
she comes out on top. She’s a complexly written character who should not be
generalized down with a snarky “chosen one” claim. I’m also fond of Moxie from Lemony Snicket’s All the Wrong Questions. She doggedly
pursues knowledge, is brave and puts herself on the line for her friends. Some
of my other favorites are Violet Beaudelaire, Eleven (Stranger Things),
Isabella (Gray Tower Trilogy), and Keri (Spell in the Country). These are all
female characters who I felt compelled to root for, to like and to connect to.

Where can readers find out more
about you? Give us the details!

Oh, I’m all over the internet.
Adela’s publisher is Madame Geek Publications.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Our next heroine is a fugitive who must prove her innocence--if she can live long enough to do so. Author JC Cassels brings us a story with intrigue and exciting characters.

Author Interview: JC Cassels

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Bo Barron is an idealistic young pilot, fresh out of
the Academy, and full of noble ideas. She’s also the Ostra Child, about to take
her place as the ruler of her people in her father’s absence. Before she can
officially become The Barron, she’s framed and convicted of mass murder and
treason. To save her life, she goes on the run, knowing she can never return
home until she proves her innocence. Bo quickly learns she has to toughen up
and get streetwise. When her father is kidnapped, and someone sets her up to be
assassinated, Bo realizes that she’s merely a pawn in a bigger game and the
fate of the entire United Galactic Commonwealth is at stake.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

Bo was born out of a need to see a strong
female lead in a Sci-Fi adventure. When I was a child, most of the women in
science fiction, especially my beloved space opera, were little more than props
or plot devices, something to be rescued, or something used to motivate the
hero. That’s great fun for little boys, but this little girl felt like a hero
in her own right. So when I couldn’t find a three-dimensional heroine, I
created my own. This was more than thirty years ago.

The Black Wing Chronicles is a series of
adventures centering on Bo Barron, THE Barron, Chief of Barron Clan, Commander
of the Black Wing, First Minister of Mondhuoun, Representative to the Second
Sector Galactic Council. SOVRAN’S PAWN is the beginning of her transformation
from ingénue to warrior queen. I started with the third book in the series
first, BARRON’S LAST STAND.

SOVRAN’S PAWN and the second book HERO’S END were
originally Bo’s back story and I had to deconstruct her from the Scourge of the
Seventh Sector into a frightened young woman whose life has just been upended.
The hero’s journey has always been one of my favorite stories.

The inspiration for Bo’s behavior in SOVRAN’S
PAWN came from Audrey Hepburn’s runaway princess in Roman Holiday… if said
runaway princess were a highly trained pilot and military officer. Bo is
reserved with other characters, always aware of her station. But when a
mysterious man steals a kiss and treats her like a woman and not the Ostra
Child she can’t help but be rattled. Despite the lies and secrets that lie
between them, he becomes one of the few people she trusts.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

I enjoy both, actually. I don’t sit down to
write a male character or a female character. I focus on writing a three-dimensional,
well-developed character. No two people are exactly alike no matter whether
they come from the same family, gender, or ethnic background.

Now do I enjoy writing a female main
character? Yes, absolutely. One of the things that drove me into writing to
begin with was the dearth of strong female leads at the time. I realized that I
could either sit around bemoaning the fact that the only characters being
written about were either male characters, or badly drawn female characters, or
I could apply myself to writing the best damn heroine I could imagine. I chose
the latter.

That said, I also enjoy exploring an
interesting male psyche which is why Blade gets his own POV in my series. I did
tell you that I enjoy both.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

One universal trait of heroes and heroines
alike is that never-say-die attitude. Never give up, never surrender. When
faced with impossible odds, a heroine never stops looking for a solution.

I also prefer the heroine who doesn’t sacrifice
her femininity in the process of becoming heroic. There is a courage and
dignity in embracing female strength, and it is very different from male
strength. I think feminine strength is worth celebrating. It’s feminine
strength that holds societies together, building, and creating.

That’s what I hated about Ripley in the Alien
series, and Sarah Connor in the Terminator series. In the process of becoming
heroic, both women became masculine. The implication is that female strength is
somehow less than male strength and a woman must become manly to be strong.
That’s just nonsense. Thankfully the 1980’s are behind us and twenty-first
century heroines are smart, sassy, sexy, brave, determined, and haven’t got an
ounce of quit in them.

Name some of your personal female
heroes (real or fictional).

One fictional heroine who comes to mind is
the Doctor Who companion Amy Pond. She’s smart, sassy, incredibly brave, and
never once gives up looking for a solution, a way out, or the answer to her
problem. She’s bold and confident, yet tender and compassionate. She’s also
funny. Another fictional heroine I adore is Phryne Fisher from the mystery
series. She’s independent, fierce, feisty, yet compassionate and kind. She’s
also pretty brilliant and there isn’t much she can’t do.

I adored Agent Peggy Carter. I would have
loved to have seen more of her adventures. I think she was under utilized in
the Captain America films and in the television series.

The fact is, I like the swaggering, confident
heroine (and hero) with a saucy smile who doesn’t take life or danger
seriously. Katherine Hepburn played that devil-may-care character to
perfection. I think it’s a crime that she never got the chance to play a
swashbuckling heroine.

Where can readers find out more
about you? Give us the details!

I am all over the place, but I like to hang
out on Facebook and I have a website where all of my information goes first.

Monday, November 14, 2016

How can a heroine conquer her demons when she doesn't know what they are? Today's interview is with bestselling fantasy author, Christa Yelich-Koth, whose main character has a particular barrier to break through--her own mind.

Author Interview: Christa Yelich-Koth

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Daith Tocc is the heroine of ILLUSION. She
has the unique disadvantage of having no memories of who she is. In spite of
that, and the myriad of lies from those around her, Daith learns not only that
she is a competent, insightful, and curious woman, but also that she has special
abilities that can give her and edge in her clouded and confused world.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

Daith came quite easily for me. Headstrong
and never settling, she always pushes forward, even though she is plagued by
fear and doubt. With others, she is a bit cautious, but wants nothing more than
to establish friendly relationships, as she feels very much alone and isolated.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

I wouldn’t say “easier,” just different. I
find I enjoy writing both. With women, I feel like I get to explain more, have
them have more inner thoughts and decisions. With men, there is fun in writing
impulsive choices and moments of complete loss for words.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

A strong heroine is someone who learns to
trust in and depend on themselves, but knows that asking for help isn’t a sign
of weakness.

Name some of your personal female
heroes (real or fictional).

Real—many of my female friends. So many of
them have pursued careers, and not easy ones as that, focused on family if they
have one, and still stayed true to themselves. It is such a hard thing to
balance and I give them so much credit.

Fictional—I love Calli from the Unaltered
Series, Nazafareen from the Fourth Element Series, and Elyse from the Children
of the Gods trilogy.

Where can readers find out more
about you? Give us the details!

Easiest way is to look up Christa
Yelich-Koth. I’m the only person in the world with that name, so whatever pops
up, that’s me!

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

What makes a strong heroine? Author Sara C. Roethle shares her view on it (hint: it doesn't have to include superpowers). So let's talk about Sara's main character, Madeline, from her fantasy novel Bitter Ashes.

Author Interview: Sara C. Roethle

Tell us about your book in the
Daughters of Destiny box set. Who is the heroine, and what is she like?

Madeline, the heroine of Bitter
Ashes, starts out as a bit of a recluse. She’s an empath, but has also
managed to accidentally “steal” a few lives (we learn about that later). She
starts about a bit timid, but as events progress we learn she is one strong,
badass, denizen of death.

What went into creating her, and
how does she interact with the other characters around her?

It’s hard to say what really went into creating her. She turned
out far different than I had planned. She was supposed to be a little nicer
than my heroines from previous books, but I’ve since learned I’m incapable of
writing without a bit of snark. Madeline plays nice and leads with her heart
until she’s pushed too far, then everyone better watch out.

Do you believe it’s easier to
write a female main character rather than a male one? Why?

I actually don’t think that’s
the case. When I first started writing I thought I’d only be able to write a
woman’s viewpoint, but this series, and others, male POVs have snuck in. I
actually really enjoy writing from a male POV, though I prefer stories that
center around a female character.

What would you define as a “strong
heroine”?

I think a strong heroine is anyone that can stand up for herself
and others. She doesn’t have to be a fighter, or have crazy powers…it’s more of
a personality trait. It’s the ability to face your fears and do what’s right,
no matter what.

Name some of your personal female
heroes (real or fictional).

Oooh, this is a tough one. Probably Anais Nin for starters. I’ve
always admired how utterly raw and honest her work is. She refused to be shoved
into the box of how a woman should think or act. Another one would be Frida
Kahlo. I guess I just like women who aren’t afraid to be different, and who
express themselves to the fullest extent.

Where can readers find out more
about you? Give us the details!

My poorly managed website can be found at: http://saracroethle.com
. I don’t update it often, but I do try to answer any emails sent through the
contact form!

Thank you, Sara! Readers, you'll get to meet Madeline and nine other incredible female heroes in the Daughters of Destiny boxed set. Release date is March 2017, so keep up with us on Facebook and be among the first to be notified!